History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 26

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534

USA > Massachusetts > Norfolk County > History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 26

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and built their meeting-house the same year. Their | meetings were held at intervals, and the only person

About the year 1831 a number of the citizens of the town united together for the purpose of sustain- ing preaching by Methodist clergymen, and held their meetings in the hall of Samuel V. Arnold. These who ministered unto them, as far as I can learn, was the Rev. Jefferson Hamilton, who removed afterwards to the South. It endeavored to obtain the town hall in which to hold their meetings, but the town refused to open its doors for their accommodation. Whether they ever enjoyed a legal existence is very much doubted, although spoken of in the records of the town as the Methodist Episcopal Society of Braintree. It

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

existed but a short time, and gradually died out. But a society of this denomination met Feb. 22, 1874, and formed themselves into a legal organization. At the time of its organization the pulpit was supplied by Rev. Louis E. Charpiot. He was succeeded by Rev. William Livesey, who died during his term of service, and Rev. Joseph Hammond finished the term. In 1876, Rev. Edward M. Taylor, from Pennsylvania, was appointed to the station, and remained three years.

Rev. Marcus F. Colburn was the next pastor, but his health failing, he was relieved by Rev. William I. Ward. During the pastorate of the Rev. Mr. Col- burn, a branch Sabbath-school was established in the east part of the town, and a preaching service held there each Sunday evening. In 1881, Rev. George E. Brightman was appointed its pastor, and still re- mains, but his term of service will expire in April next, the full term of three years being then com- pleted. At their organization they purchased the meeting-house formerly occupied by the First Baptist Society, which was completely destroyed by fire in the latter part of the year 1883. Since that time they have held their meetings in the town hall. They will undoubtedly rebuild the coming summer, about three thousand dollars having been subscribed for that purpose.

About fifty years ago the doctrines of Universalism were preached to its hearers by different clergymen of that denomination, chiefly through the instru- mentality of Samuel V. Arnold, the meetings being held in his hall. A society was formed soon after- wards, but it never gained a foothold, and went out of existence on the death of Mr. Arnold. The Uni- tarians also held meetings at the town hall for some years, but have been discontinued, although they had all the money they needed, but failed for want of hearers. Rev. Edward C. Towne, Rev. Fiske Bar- rett, and others ministered unto them during the time of their existence.

In 1877 the Catholics organized a society, which is a branch of the Quincy diocese. For some time they held their meetings in a hall, but a few years since built a church on Central Avenue, where they con- tinue to hold their services. The attendance on the Sabbath is quite large. These are all the religious organizations of which we have any knowledge, al- though the Spiritualists have held meetings in the east part of the town.

each scholar, they were made payable in wood. This enabled the parent to pay those assessments easily, as all of them owned land which was well covered with wood. If a new settler came into town they could purchase land for from three to six shillings per acre. The schools of the town were supported by labor, as " all other institutions were at that time. Gold and silver were rarities at that time, and the trade was almost wholly carried on by barter. The first men- tion in the town records of schools is the following paper, which I. copy in full :

"MR. FFLINTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE SALE OF THE SCHOOLE HOUSE.

" This day Mr. flint made acknowledgement of the sale of the house and lote which was lately John Paflins, and since his death sold unto the said Henry flint by William Penn, by vir- tue of an execution, sued out by him in the presence of all the townsmen, the said Henry flint doth acknowledge himself fully satisfied, By Doctor John Morly for the sd house, only the sd Mr. Doctor doth promise that if he should be called forth off the towne to sirrender backe again the sd house to Mr. fllint at the same rate of seaven pounds which he payd, being allowed at the discretion of indifferent men for such charges as he has binne att, in witness hereof the sd Henry flint and Mr. Doctor have hereunto set their hands the day and year above written in the presence of

"SAMUEL BASS.

" HENRY FFLINT.

" RICHARD BRACKETT.

" JOHN MORLY.

" MOSES PAINE. " THOMAS BLANCHER.

" MARTIN SANDERS.

" MATTHEW BARNES. " WILLIAM ALLIS."

On the upper corner of the record is the year 1648, the day or month being torn off. Henry Flint, teacher of the First Church in Braintree, was probably the schoolmaster, and was succeeded by Dr. John Morly, who afterwards taught school in Boston or Charles- town. Previous to the execution of this paper, how- ever, is an account of land recovered from Mr. Cod- dington, who had removed to Rhode Island. Tradition says that William Coddington gave the town of Brain- tree certain lands, the income of which should be ex- pended for the support of schools in said town. Upon the division of the town this fund was divided, each town being allowed their portion. Quincy has hon- ored his name by naming streets, school-houses, etc., by the name of Coddington. The record is headed "The Schoole Lands, 1640." In the margin are these words, " The deed of the Land recovered of Mr. Coddinton." The record is incomplete, owing to the worn state of the paper, much of it being illegible, but enough is left to understand something of its mean- ing. It was covenanted between the town of Brain- tree and Richard Right that the said Richard Right

Schools .- As soon as a church was established by the early settlers of New England they began to take measures to educate their children. Although the schools were partly supported by assessments upon . shall put the town of Braintree in full possession of

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land formerly called Mr. Coddington's Neck, to the said town to be held forever (then giving its bounds) in consideration of all the said lands the said town of Braintree hath given to the said Richard Right ninety- eight pounds, - shillings, and eight pence, being ground allowed by the courts to the town of Braintree out of the goods of - Coddington. Richard Right was the legally appointed attorney for William Cod- dington in Massachusetts. That the town of Brain- tree sued Coddington is undeniable, that the courts allowed the town this land is substantiated, and that the town paid for this land is equally true. Did Coddington then give this land for the benefit of the schools ? I answer, decidedly, No; and until some evidence is produced to substantiate that claim, I shall adhere to that opinion.

In the year 1716 the first school was established in the present limits of Braintree. It was called a " reading- and writing-school." Oct. 1, 1716, the selectmen have agreed with Joseph Parmiter to keep the school at Monotoquod for six shillings per week and his diet. What his diet cost we know not, as Mr. Peter Hobart received about six pounds for diet and a pair of shoes, together with a part of his school wages. He was engaged the next year at eleven shillings per week.

To endeavor to trace the formation of all the schools would require much space. There are now in the town a high school kept in the town house in apart- ments especially built for it, two school-houses where four schools are kept, one house with three schools, one with two schools, and five with one school. Besides this, in 1877 a beautiful building was built on Washington Street, near the town hall, from the bequest of Gen. Sylvanus Thayer, who en- dowed the institution with about two hundred and eighty thousand dollars, to which was added by the town the sum of twenty thousand dollars. This school, free to all the citizens of the old town of Braintree, prepares its pupils for admission to college, and is under the supervision of Rev. Jotham B. | That this is incorrect is evident to every careful exam- Sewall, formerly professor in Bowdoin College, as- sisted by an able corps of teachers. Besides the do- nations to the town which I have named, Nathaniel Thayer left to the town the larger part of his estate, and is now a part of the school fund of the town, which yields an annual income of from three hundred to four hundred dollars, and which is used for the sup- port of schools.

May 4, 1842, John Ruggles Hollis, a native of this town, died, and left a will bequeathing to the South Congregational Society a sum of money, the income of which was to support a high grade of school 1

for the education of the children of those who were members of said society. The society built a build- ing near the church, and established a school called the Hollis Institute, which was in successful operation until 1858, when the high school was opened, and it ceased to exist. It could hardly be called a free school, as a small tuition was charged each scholar per quarter, as the income of the fund was not large enough to pay for its support. Rev. William M. Thayer and Benjamin Kendall were among the prin- cipal teachers. Upon its discontinuance the fund was taken for the purpose of building a new meeting-house, and the institute building was changed into a dwell- ing-house.

Manufactures .- The first establishment for man- ufacturing purposes in the town was on Monatiquot River, in the easterly part of the town. About the year 1643 a company called the " Company Under- takers of the Iron-Works" was formed for the pur- pose of establishing iron-works in Massachusetts. The citizens of the town of Boston, then, as now, ever ready to extend aid to foster the manufacturing interests of the nation, granted Jan. 19, 1643, unto John Winthrop, Jr., and associates, three thou- sand acres of land for the encouragement of an iron- work to be set up about Monatiquot River, the said land to be laid out next adjoining and most con- venient for their said iron-works. The title to this land was not completed until Nov. 23, 1647, when a deed was given of two thousand eight hundred and sixty acres of land, bounded as follows, viz. : South and west by Boston Common, on the north by divers lots belonging to Boston, on the east by Weymouth lands and Weymouth Pond. Also one hundred and forty acres bounded on the south by Mr. Henry Webb's farm, Monatiquot River on the west, and on the north and east with certain lots of Boston. Pat- tee, in his history of old Braintree and Quincy, locates this land on the borders of the towns of Quincy and Milton, the land lying in both towns.

iner of our records. Although it is difficult after the lapse of so many years to give it a precise location, yet the records of Suffolk County give light enough to designate nearly its location, The plot of two thou- sand eight hundred and sixty acres was situated in the easterly part of the present town of Braintree. The line of the town of Weymouth was its easterly bound, and it extended southward as far as what is now Hol- brook line. Where the easterly line was, is evident from this fact, that when the way was laid out from Braintree to Cochato, or Holbrook, it butted on the land given by the town of Boston for the encouragement of the

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HISTORY OF NORFOLK COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.

iron-works. It is therefore, clearly to be seen that the tract of land was situated in that part of old Braintree commencing at Holbrook line and running northerly nearly along the line of what is now Wash- ington Street at Cranberry Brook to Union Street, thence running easterly to Weymouth line, the north line being at not a great distance from Union and Commercial Streets. This land was afterwards sold to John Holbrook and Samuel White, of Wey- mouth, and a portion of this land is now in the pos- session of the descendants of Samuel White. Many of the old deeds and later conveyances refer to the fact of its having been part of the land given for the encouragement of the iron-works. But it may be said that the one hundred and forty acres was located near Milton, and upon that the iron-works were located. Let us briefly consider this point. How was it bounded ? On the north and east by certain lots of Boston, says the grant. On the north was the South Commons, and on the east what was called Little Com- mons. Its western boundary was Monatiquot River. Its southern boundary was Mr. Henry Webb's farm. A portion of Webb's farm was sold to Samuel Allen in 1648, and remained in the family until within a few years, and is situated near the station on the South Shore Railroad, at East Braintree. These boundaries place the location of the one hundred and forty acres of land as being near the junction of Commercial and Adams Streets. This land came into the possession of the creditors of the company, and was afterwards sold by them. A portion of it was bought by Elder Nathaniel Wales, who built a house upon it in 1692, and is occupied by his descendants at the present time. In the appraisement of the com- pany's property when it failed are lots of land named after different individuals, probably after those who had previously owned it. We find among the names About the year 1790, Col. William Allen erected a grist-mill on the river on the south side of Commer- cial Street, near the stone bridge. It was occupied by himself and partners for some years, and after- wards purchased by Jonas Welch, who commenced the manufacture of chocolate. The chocolate made proved to be the best in the market, and brought the highest price. Welch's chocolate became celebrated throughout the country. Upon the death of Mr. Welch the business passed into the hands of Alexan- der Bowditch, who continued the business for some years. About 1853 another building was erected for the manufacture of carpeting upon the same privilege, but did not prove a success. It was also used for a short time as a manufactory for boot- and shoe-lasts. About twenty years ago it was burned to the ground those of Thayer, French, Penn, Ruggles, and New- comb, who all owned land in the vicinity of what we claim as being the true location. The Suffolk records contain many allusions to these lands, but they are too voluminous to copy for this work. The company was not successful in business, and failed in 1653. Why it was so we know not at this late day, but pre- sume that the persons who conducted its affairs were inefficient and unacquainted with the business, as one of the employés of the company, James Leonard, soon after its failure went to Taunton and formed a ! company to carry on the same business there, which was successfully continued for many years. The difficulty appears to be that Leader, Gifford, and others whom the company selected as agents or over- seers, had no personal interest in the business except ! together with the old grist- and chocolate-mill. Al-

their yearly salary, and that the proprietors knew but little or nothing of the business. The location of the dam was about forty rods above the bridge on Shaw Street, in East Braintree. Although unsuccessful, it produced some good results to the town, as it brought into the town new settlers, who built dwelling-houses and reclaimed wild lands. Soon after 1680, John | Hubbard, of Boston, rebuilt the dam, and erected a saw-mill, iron-works, and forge on or near the same spot

These works were occupied some years, but there was a continual contention between the owner, Thomas Vinton, who bought them of the Hubbard family, and the town concerning the passage of the fish up the Monaticut River. Alewives and other fish ran in large quantities up the river to the ponds to lay their spawn if they were not hindered by obstructions in the river. The people were jealous of their rights, and claimed that they were deprived of a portion of their living by these obstructions, as it was their cus- tom to preserve in the proper season all the alewives they could consume in their families during the suc- ceeding year. To deprive them of their fish was to deprive them of their living, and they would not submit to this loss. So great was the disaffection that a number of men went one night and destroyed the dam. Thereupon law-suits arose, until finally the town purchased the dam and privilege, and this settled the difficulties. For many years nothing was done with this privilege until Caleb Hunt and others ob- tained the right from the town to build a mill. They built a new dam about forty rods below the ancient one, where a saw-mill was established, and afterwards a grist-mill, which for many years was owned by Abraham Hobart, and is now occupied by the firm of Ambler & Hobart, extensive grain dealers.

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though several companies have endeavored to purchase the privilege, they were unable so to do, and the site is still bare and desolate, with hardly a vestige remaining to mark the spot. Not far from 1760 Hobart Clark came to town, and built a fulling-mill upon or near Adams Street. This privilege was used only a few years, and I can find no evidence that it was occupied by any other Not far from 1680 a young man by the name of John Bowditch, supposed to come from Salem, came to person except Adam Hobart, Jr., who had a lathe there a short time, but what he did I find no account the town, and, marrying the daughter of John French, | of. This dam finally became rotten, and is now only settled here, built a dam, and set up a fulling-mill near known as having caused a vexatious law-suit, which will be mentioned in another place. Commercial Street, on one of the best sites for a mill privilege on Monatiquot River. This privilege re- mained in the hands of the Bowditch family until about 1796, when it was sold to other parties. During the time it was in their hands a grist-mill was built, but when is unknown. When the mill was sold by the heirs of John Bowditch, a grist-mill is mentioned, but no fulling-mill. The business of fulling cloth, as separate from the weaving thereof, had departed. It is remem- bered by the oldest citizens that one Abigail Bowditch, a maiden lady, took sole charge of the grinding of corn, and would with ease take a two-bushel bag of meal upon her shoulder, carry it up the stairs to the street, and place it in the wagon, without assistance. For about twenty years it was occupied by Jonathan Thayer, Amasa Penniman, Walter Rogers, Benjamin Smith, and other parties in the manufacture of various kinds of goods. To attempt to describe the varieties of business carried on there would fill many pages of manuscript, and then would be incomplete from lack of evidence, the information being mostly derived from tradition. About 1823 a company was formed, purchased the privilege, and commenced enlarging and improving the property. John Edson acted as their agent. Cotton-gins were manufactured quite exten- sively, and a mill was built for the making of cotton cloths, which stood until last year, when it being old and dilapidated, was torn down. This company sold it to the Boston Flax Company, who did a large and successful business in the manufacture of twine, linen goods, etc., employing about six hundred men, women, and children. It gave an impetus to the growth of that village hitherto unsurpassed in the history of Braintree. During the thirty years of its existence houses were built for the use of the employés, stores were opened, and business was brisk, not only in the immediate locality, but throughout the town.

About 1880 they removed their machinery to Lud- low, Mass., and sold the establishment to the Jenkins Manufacturing Company. Since that time it has been occupied by its owners in the manufacture of shoe- lacings, by the Columbia Rubber Company in that of rubber cloth, and F. B. Allen in that of fans. The village has not yet recovered from the effects of the removal of the Boston Flax Company.

Another dam was erected on Adams Street about the year 1835 by the Hon. Benjamin V. French, a native of the town, who had acquired a fortune while a merchant in Boston. He was a man of active business habits, and did much for the improvement of his native town. He purchased a large farm and carried on the business extensively. He cleared un- cultivated pastures and meadow lands, built heavy stone walls, planted all kinds of fruit and ornamental trees, and so improved the condition of his farm that it was the attraction of the town for many years, visitors coming from all parts of the country to view and enjoy its beauties. He was well known as one of the leading agriculturists and horticulturists in the State. If I were to name any one man as the greatest benefactor of the town, it would be the Hon. Benjamin V. French. The dam he built on Mo- natiquot River was not used for some years after its erection. The owners of the Bowditch privilege bought the Hobart Clark privilege, and built a temporary dam that flowed the water back so far that the French privilege was useless. In order to obtain his rights, Mr. French was obliged to institute a suit at law, which, after being carried to the high- est courts in the State, was finally decided in his favor. He immediately proceeded to erect a grist- mill, which went into successful operation. He carried on the grain business for about twenty years, when the torch of the incendiary applied to the building destroyed in one hour all the labor of years. This loss, together with his large expenditures on his farm, crippled his resources, and compelled him to surrender his valuable property into the hands of his creditors. The privilege passed into the hands of Benjamin Lyman Morrison, who now improves it as a woolen yarn manufactory, and who has done a re- munerative business.

At what time the old Thayer mill, as it was for- merly called, was built we know not, neither by whom the enterprise was started. On the laying out of Middle Street as a public way in 1690 it was men- tioned as passing over the dam. This dam was the boundary line of Middle Street on its west side. It · was first used for a saw-mill, afterwards for a grist-

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mill. About the year 1816, Robert Sugden, a native of England, leasing the premises, commenced the manufacture of woolen goods, and carried it on a number of years. It was still owned by the Thayer family. About the year 1831, Alva Morrison, a na- tive of New Hampshire, leased the privilege, and began the manufacture of woolen goods, especially woolen yarns. His business proved successful, and he after- wards purchased the property. He continued to im- prove this property from time to time, until a short time previous to his death, by the erection of new buildings and other improvements, until he was the owner of one of the best factories on the river. His prosperity was mainly due to his skill, and also espe- cially to his faithfulness in putting upon the market the best goods that were manufactured. In the country around, the old stocking-knitters would say that if their customers wanted the best stockings they must have Morrison's yarn to knit. No better praise need be given to his memory. Hon. Alva Morrison remained in the town of his adoption for the remain- der of his long life, a period of more than fifty years' residence, always taking an active interest in town and State affairs, honored by his townsmen in many of the most important positions it could confer upon him. He will be well remembered, especially by his poorer and more afflicted neighbors, who were the recipients of his freely-given bounties for their relief and com- fort. The business is now conducted by his three sons, Alva S., R. Elmer, and Ibrahim, under the firm- name of Morrison Brothers.

Just off Hancock Street are two privileges now oc- cupied by the Hollingsworth & Whitney Manufactur- ing Company, which it will be necessary to take up sep- arately. One is called the upper mill, the other the lower mill. The first we know of the lower mill it was used for sawing lumber until about 1810, when it was enlarged, and a grist-mill added. It was owned by Abraham Thayer, a native of the town. The upper mill is of an older date. At what time this privilege was first occupied is not known, but as long ago as 1764 it was sold by Daniel Hayden to Azariah Faxon, and described as a saw- and grist-mill. Mr. Faxon owned it about thirty years, when he sold it to Jonathan Thayer. It was used for the manu- facture of various articles of merchandise by different individuals until about 1820, when it was purchased by the Blake & Revere Copper Foundry Company, who manufactured bells and did other copper work for several years. About the year 1832, John M. and Lyman Hollingsworth, two brothers who came from Milton, purchased both the upper and lower privileges, and commenced the manufacture of paper. It was at this mill that they discovered how to make In the year 1822, Oliver Ames and Elijah Howard purchased of Asa French, Esq., an unoccupied privi- lege at the foot of Pearl Street for the purpose of working in iron, and during the three following years built shops, dwellings, and other buildings necessary for the carrying on of the shovel and nail and tack business. The shovel business has been a part of the extensive works of the Ameses, who have a national reputation. The nail and tack business was carried on by Elijah Howard, of North Easton, and his son, Jason G. Howard, and their copartner, Apollos Ran- manilla paper from the old rope, which could be bought at a small price, and transformed into paper which was very strong and almost impervious to water. This discovery was made in 1842. When they removed from the town their brother, Ellis A., took charge of the business, under the firm-name of Hollingsworth & Whitney, and so well have they succeeded that they make at this establishment alone about five tons of paper per day, and which finds a ready sale. About 1882, upon the death of both the partners, a stock company was formed, although dall, a native of Easton, who made this town his res- | the stock is nearly, if not all, owned by their heirs. The Hollingsworth brothers all made a good fortune in their business. This company has built on the

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History of Norfolk County, Massachusetts, with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Part 26

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co. Number of Pages: 1534

Author: Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Philadelphia, J. W. Lewis & Co.
Number of Pages: 1534